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There are currently 41 member reviews
for The Borgia Betrayal
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Robin M. (Corpus Christi, TX)
History Lite
As a fan of historical fiction, I was disappointed. Based upon the title, The Borgia Betrayal, I expected far more detail about this infamous family than was delivered. This novel is essentially about the main character, Francesca, and her motivation to avenge her father's death through her position as the Court Poisoner for the Borgia family. There were interesting details about the duties and responsibilities of the Court Poisoner but I did not find Francesca to be a very believable or authentic 15th century character. Also, I am not certain this second novel in the Poisoner series really can be read as a stand alone book. I went back and read the first book and found myself wishing I had read it first. I am still on the fence about whether I will spend my time or money on the next book to come in this series.
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Richard S. (Toledo, Ohio)
The Borgia Betrayal
The Borgia Betrayal is a novel about Francesca, the court poisoner (there really was such a position ) in the court of Pope Rodrigo Borgia, Alexander VI. Despite the rich detail of life in Rome in 1493, the novel never bores; it reads like a thriller, not a text book. The characters are interesting and believable and most readers will gain a new perspective on the famous Borgias and the papacy. There are many loose ends, probably because the author intends to address them in her next book.
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Norman G. (Diamond Bar, CA)
Satisfactory but not compelling
A well-written historical novel that gives a feel for the times and contains many sidelights into the papacy of the Borgia family and the inner workings of the Catholic Church of the time period. However, I could not bring myself to feel part of the book or to care about the characters. The book had too many low areas for it to be a recommended book.
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Kelly H. (Martinsville, IN)
Fluffy historical fiction
I didn't love this book. It was more fluff than historical fiction. That's OK, but when I read about such an interesting time in history, I want to know about all the major players of the time in detail. I've just come off of a major Tudors bender, and can't believe how crazy, evil, corrupt, and vicious those people were! I'm sure the Borgias, their friends, and enemies were no different, and I would have loved to know more about them. Truth can be every bit as good as fiction! But again, that's just me-if I'm reading historical fiction, I want to learn as well as be entertained.
My other issue with this book is how simply the book was written. I was bored, and am sure a 5th grader could have read and comprehended the whole book. I did read Poison first, and would review it the very same.
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Sande O. (Rochester, NY)
Boring Borgias
Whenever I read an historical novel, my first test is how the author creates a sense of time and place. On this count Sara Poole is spot on in her novel, The Borgia Betrayal. The reader definitely feels the sense of fourteenth century Rome. It is vibrant, earthy and compelling. Unfortunately, the plot does not match the allure of Rome.
Poole's characters and story disappoint throughout the novel. There is little character development or appeal. Very little happens in terms of action. There were glimmers of promise when I hoped that something was going to happen only to be disappointed time and time again. I was sure the final 50 pages at least would produce a dynamic climax, but it was not to be.
Don't waste your precious time on this boring read.
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Beverly D. (Palm Harbor, FL)
Wonder Woman in Renaissance finery
Francesca is supposed to be a young woman of the 15th century but her story reads like 21st century manga...Her portrayal (and it IS written in 1st person) is too modern, too over the top to be believable. As an adventure/romance story it might work but for anyone expecting a serious, historically stimulating novel with the Borgias as main characters, look elsewhere. Perhaps too much was attempted here...history/religion/free thinking/SEX/romance /thriller. Just did not work for me.
